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Remember all my apples? Not so long ago, I was overwhelmed by produce, most of it free, including apples. The fresh produce is gone–but not completely! I have so many things still to do with what I saved. So many FUN things! I put away so much fruit for further efforts. Some of it, I will be canning into wonderful goodies for Christmas gifts. But the peels and cores and even some slices–I put them away in gallon freezer baggies preparing for a wood stove and simmering potpourri.
I put the peels and cores and slices in the dehydrator.
Then packed them away in the freezer for potpourri.
To use them for a dry potpourri mix now, I would put them briefly in the dehydrator again because they will have collected some moisture in the freezing/thawing process. But to use them for simmering potpourri, the brief re-dry isn’t necessary. They can go straight in the pot.
And oh the pot!
It is difficult to go a day without waxing sentimental about the wonderful readers that come here. This pot was sent to me by my dear reader Jo.
It is the most lovely and perfect pot. It is pre-worn, which is the epitome of its perfection.
It is sweet and beautiful, just what my cranky old wood stove needs for a love match.
And it cried out for my apples. The ones I have been saving for just such a blessed occasion. (And many more. I have apple and peach peels and cores and slices for a whole winter of lovely fragrance.)
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How to make Apple Spice Simmering Potpourri:
cinnamon sticks
ginger slivers
whole cloves
dried apple peels, cores, slices
I used one cinnamon stick, broken, three slivers of fresh ginger, and about a teaspoon of whole cloves. To that, I added enough apple to make a heaping cup.
I poured water into the pot until it was about 2/3 full.
These ingredients can vary easily depending on what you have on hand, as can the measurements.
I had a good fire going in the wood stove. BECAUSE I DIDN’T MAKE IT. (You could also simmer on the kitchen stovetop, of course.)
My house smells like an apple pie doing handsprings. I love my mean, old wood stove. And I love the smell of apple and spices!
It makes me feel happy in spite of my wood stove. I will not let my wood stove defeat me, I will not! I have apples! I have spices! I have a yummy-smelling house!
LIFE IS GOOD.
Posted by Suzanne McMinn on November 22, 2009
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Good morning Suzanne–I am so happy you like the pot, it looks wonderful on the stove, and thank you so much for the recipe, I will try it in my old pot as well.
Jo
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Oh, and did I tell you??? I have a pot like this one. Now I am inspired to make potpourri on the woodstove. duh. why have I never done this quite like Suzanne before??? I too have mega-fruit resources and now have an outlet for the over-ripe ones. I can’t WAIT until tomorrow (ask me about this when my husband drags me out of bed to haul corn at 7) to do this. On another note, has anyone ever made British plum pudding? I am starting this tomorrow since it MUST be made on “stir-up Sunday”…which is tomorrow.
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Take a muffin pan. Put papers in each cup OR
use an egg carton.
Fill each cavity with wood chips.
In the meantime, melt parafin bars, the kind you use for canning.
You can also use leftover candle bits, especially fragrance candles.
Pour slowly over the wood chips.
The egg carton can be cut into however big a section you need.
I use these on top of the paper, under the kindling. They get it going good and hot. A lot less fuss than coddling a fire along.
Susan
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3:21
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I got my vote in early today – 8169 votes. Darn insomnia.
3:40
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good luck
3:52
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Voted again today. I hope that in our desire to have you win, we don’t resort to unscrupulous measures to “help”. That one or more contestants are offering large prizes to voters is a shame, but hopefully, none of us will become cheaters for your cause just because “others” are doing it. The fact of the matter is, you were able to blast past the others with our votes in a matter of a few days. Which means you command a readership that is loyal to your writing. The fact that people are being offered large prizes for votes won’t get the contestants anywhere. The SAMe people want readers to come to their site each and every day. How many people will tune in to read a blog post from the “winner” when the winner offered a chance for cash if they voted? The only reason they voted was for a chance to win the money. No money? Why read it?
Truthfully, I think offering any type of prize is going to backfire. Remember that only 20% of the vote is coming from “winning”. The deciding vote will be from the committee running the contest. They’re smart enough to realize the people offering “money for votes” won’t bring them page hits. And that what it’s all about! Revenue and SEO are hit-based. Sales are hit based. If I’m voting because I want money, I’m not coming back when the money dries up. However, if I’m voting because I read your blog and want to read more of what you’ve written, I’ll be back.
Winners never cheat and cheaters never win. Not really! So let us rise above the crowd and let the SAMe people see that you have a devoted readership that is with you because you are a good writer and not because we’ll “win” something if we vote for you!
WE vote for you because we love to read your stories. We’ll go read your blog on SAMe because we want to read more of what you’ve written.
Ok, off my soapbox now.
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Voted!!! We’re lagging behind just a bit, but your loyal readers and fans will all pull together to get you up there. We’re pulling our heads together, being fair and legal, of course!
I wish Sam-e knew now how big of a fan base they would be getting just by having you write their Good Mood Blog! Thousands per day! One more cuppa in the morning would not kill me, to sit back and enjoy another story from you! The motivation and inspiration I get in a single dose is huge………but 2 can only be better!
And I wonder if they understand that having a farm is a stressful job — with the economy it could put anyone in the dumps, but you persevere, keep your chin up and you give us a good mood blog every single day of the year!!
Off my soap box as well……..
6:22
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I don’t have a wood stove but I can simmer this on my stove burner. Ican just smell that apple pie smell now!
I already voted today…David is about to vote.
Deb
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Very foggy morning here in SEMichigan,like “pea soup”…hmm…maybe I should make some today? I have my great-grandmother’s recipe. Also have her white enameled coffee pot and it’s a ringer for yours! I’m gonna put some orange peels in it right away.
7:13
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Hope we can raise the tally today but I hope it is all on the up and up today too….
Ruthie
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Uh oh…cash for votes…sounds like they are taking their lead from some in our present gubmint …
7:35
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Up and voted, now off to fix breakfast for my youngest and his sleepover buddy.
Cece
7:47
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I am dropping by from Golden to Silver Val’s and I must say I think this is a beautiful blog. I will definitely be back and will be voting for you as often as I can.
Good Luck.
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voted this morning… Suzanne is behind by @100 votes…
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Nothing better for me than the simmering combo of apples and cinnamon.
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I agree with Debbie, who said your freezer must be well-organized. I can’t even find the stuff I put in there yesterday. Have a wonderful day.
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I can just smell your home now, yum!!
I just want to say that Suzanne does not have to resort to buying votes because all of us love her and this blog. It’s so obvious by your vote count, whether you are up a few hundred votes or down a hundred votes. You will never have to offer us money to come here or to vote for you sweetie. So sad that people resort to this type of behavior. This is my “pick me up” place to come every day. Keeps me in a good mood. You ROCK Suzanne.
10:01
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I am so lovin’ that pot! We have a wood stove and I do the same thing. A toasty warm fire and the scents of fall/winter is just AMAZING! You can get the aromas of baking and not have to lift a finger!
Blessings to you, Suzanne~
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I voted!
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Just wondering…..have you ever made pocket bread? (I’m looking for a recipe as I love to put my salad in pocket bread. The store variety is so bad now I don’t buy it at all.)
10:49
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Thanks for the incredible idea!
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Have a sweet day!
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When not dealing with gobs of produce at once making it worth firing up my dehydrator, I bet I could just keep an old cookie sheet on top of my woodstove on which I could toss occasional peelings & cores to dehydrate. Free dehydration plus adding to the aroma of potpourri should I have some going. I’m going to give it a try.
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Well, I voted and checked to see how things are going. Ahead for now but it’s so close and back-and-forth that I don’t think the votes will be that big a factor. Suzanne’s talent; faithful followers, extraordinary accomplishments, and downright sweetness will shine through. And that is really what matters anyway. We’re all behind you, Suzanne!! She’s our SAM-E!!!!
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Looks like your in the lead with sam-E… Keep up the votes, lets keep Suzanne in the lead!
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Granny Trace
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Beth aka oneoldgoat
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My daughter says give Clover a cookie from her (the daughter is lobbying hard for goats).
1:50
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No woodstove here but the stove will work …..
2:45
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I voted today using Firefox, then Internet Explorer, then I downloaded Google chrome and voted a third time. DH has the first 2 browsers, so I used them, too. Fervently hoping you win, and totally addicted to checking the vote. Now I’m going to make some Cranberry Sauce from your recipe.
3:28
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And now everyone: KEEP MOBILIZING THOSE FACEBOOKS AND ADDRESS BOOKS AND TWITTERS AND BLOGS so that Suzanne maintains her rightful place at the head of the pack!
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I AM VOTING EVERY DAY!!
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Been voting for you daily!
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Kathleen H
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In a stupendous feat of procrastination, I just watched all 20 videos . . . There’s maybe two or three people you need to be worried about, but that’s all. And yours is by far the best quality video.
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Blessings from Ohio…
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Good luck on the SAM E job. I’ve been voting and crossing my fingers for you!
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joy c. at grannymountain
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